Indonesia's West Java Prepares for Severe 2026 Drought Amid El Niño

The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) warned that the 2026 El Niño will bring a drier-than‑normal season, with peak drought expected in August and September. In a coordination meeting held at the Army Headquarters in Jakarta, BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, and West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi discussed strategies to mitigate the long‑term drought, including waste management and clean‑water provision.

The meeting highlighted the need for integrated waste‑to‑fuel projects at several landfills—Bantar Gebang, Sumur Batu, Galuga, Sarimukti, Jatibarang, and Suwung—to support water‑supply resilience during the anticipated dry period. Officials affirmed that the army will support regional authorities in implementing these sustainable solutions.